The morning sunlight filtered through the Gothic spires of St. Linden Academy. Hugging her brand-new textbooks, Maya Chen walked with quick but cautious steps, looking almost sneaky in the eyes of others. Yesterday's dormitory ghost incident still lingered in her mind, though she didn't dare tell anyone—after all, it sounded far too much like a dream.
"Have you heard? The restroom at midnight.""Shh, don't say it out loud.""I'm serious. In the mirror… someone will replace your face!"
Maya had just arrived at the teaching building when she overheard two upperclassmen whispering. Her ears perked up immediately."Replace… my face?"
A chill ran down her back. She clutched her books tighter, so distracted that she failed to notice someone turning the corner—she walked straight into Lucian.
"Clumsy."
"S-sorry!" Maya bowed her head like a startled bunny, cheeks flushed pink.
Lucian let out a quiet scoff but still reached out to steady her stack of books."Be careful next time. No exceptions." She then walked off coldly.
Maya stared at her retreating figure, her heart thumping like a tiny drum. Cold, yes—but strangely reliable.
The class bell rang."Ah! I don't want to be late on the first day!" Maya suddenly burst into a sprint and rushed into the classroom.
By dusk, the academy's bell echoed across the campus. Maya walked out with her schoolbag, her cheeks still flushed from the day's lessons. Skipping a little, she lifted her head toward the sunset."So beautiful…"
The sky looked like spilled orange-red paint—so warm, like a mother's embrace.
Passing the small lake, a breeze rippled across the water. For a brief moment, it looked like a figure was waving at her from below.
Maya froze, blinking rapidly."Am I… just too tired?"
She squinted, but the lake was once again calm. Nothing there."Just scaring myself." She patted her cheeks and forced her mind back on track. The fallen leaves of the sycamore trees crunched faintly beneath her shoes, tightening the knot in her neck.
Then came a familiar cold hum from behind."Can you stop wandering around like a lost kitten while walking?"
Lucian had appeared silently at her back.
"Lucian! You're off class too? I swear I just saw someone in the lake—it nearly scared me to death!"
"That was your own reflection…" Lucian gave her a look as if she were an idiot.
Still, her pace slowed down, naturally falling in step with Maya's.
The golden glow of dusk wrapped around the two figures—one tall and aloof, one small and warm. Together, they looked like a painting fate had quietly unfurled.
That night, Maya tottered back into the dorm, her arms full of newly bought supplies. Being so petite, she looked like a little penguin crushed beneath the oversized bags.
"Phew—finally got everything." She exhaled heavily, stumbling into the room. Lucian wasn't around; she had only left a curt text: Busy. Back later.
Maya killed some time on her phone, and before she knew it, midnight had come. She set down her things and realized she hadn't even opened the packaging of her new toiletries. Biting her lip, she tore them open, grabbed her toothbrush cup and towel, and tiptoed toward the restroom.
A cold wind slipped through the bathroom door crack. Maya shrank her neck."Brr… a little chilly."
"It's fine. Just wash up and sleep," she whispered to herself, setting her cup on the sink.
The water ran clear, but in the mirror… her reflection began moving out of sync.
Maya was still twisting her towel, but the girl in the mirror slowly lifted her head—and grinned back at her.